Mine? (Todobaku Fanfiction)

A promise

Shoto's eyes followed Bakugou closely, a gnawing unease tugging at his gut. Ever since the yesterday night, Bakugou had been evading him.
The questions in Shoto's mind multiplied with every passing hour. *Why was Bakugou avoiding him? Had he done something to upset him?*

Shoto decided he would wait until the interval to corner Bakugou and demand answers. But as the bell rang, announcing the break, it was Midoriya, not Bakugou, who approached him. His green eyes were curious but filled with concern.

"Did you say something to Bakugou?" Shoto asked Midoriya, urgency evident in his voice.

"No, I haven't," Midoriya replied, seemingly as perplexed as Shoto.

Growing impatient, Shoto scanned the bustling cafeteria. His gaze fell upon Kirishima and a group of others, laughing and sharing their meals. But Bakugou's distinct spiky hair was nowhere in sight. Pushing through the crowd, Shoto approached Kirishima, hoping he might know where Bakugou had disappeared to.

"Kirishima," Shoto began, his voice firm. "Do you know where Bakugou is?"

A mischievous smile spread across Kirishima's face, "He's out at the playground, taking a breather." He paused, gauging Shoto's expression. "Going to see him, huh?" Kirishima chuckled.

Shoto nodded, a sense of determination evident in his features.

Kirishima reached into his bag and pulled out a water bottle, handing it to Shoto. "Take this with you," he said, his eyes twinkling.

"Why a water bottle?" Shoto asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

"Just trust me," Kirishima grinned, shoving the bottle into Shoto's hands.

The playground was drenched in soft, golden sunlight, filtering through the leaves overhead. Bakugou lay sprawled on the grass beneath a large tree, its canopy shielding him from the sun's rays. Earphones plugged into his ears, he looked peaceful, a rare sight.

Shoto approached cautiously, feeling the crunch of the grass beneath his shoes. Bakugou, always so keenly aware of his surroundings, immediately sensed Shoto's approach. Opening his eyes, Bakugou met Shoto's gaze briefly before looking away, a subtle discomfort apparent in his posture.

"*Why? Why did he look away?*" Shoto wondered.

Closing the distance between them, Shoto crouched beside Bakugou. "What's bothering you?" he asked, voice laced with concern.

Bakugou hesitated, then mumbled, "I'm sorry. I should've been there for your training. But I got drunk and didn't show up."

Shoto's face broke into a genuine smile, the weight on his heart lifting. So that was it. Bakugou was feeling guilty. "It's okay," he reassured. "I practiced this morning. My fire control's getting better. It's all good."

Bakugou's cheeks reddened, a rare blush that spoke volumes. "Fine," he mumbled, pushing himself up. Shoto looked at him. "Where are you going?"
"I'm thirsty. Got any water?"

Smirking, Shoto handed Bakugou the bottle Kirishima had given him, silently marveling at the depth of Kirishima's understanding of Bakugou. The two of them sat together, the silence between them now comfortable. Bakugou resumed listening to his music, and for that brief moment, all was right in their world.

The peaceful ambiance of the playground seemed almost surreal, with the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant chatter of students. Lying on the grass, Shoto's eyes were fixed on the vast expanse above, at the sky. Next to him, Bakugou lay with his eyes closed, the soft rhythm of his breathing suggesting he was lost in thought.

Shoto's gaze shifted from the sky to Bakugou's face, his pale skin contrasting sharply against the green grass. The scene was eerily reminiscent of that fateful night, a memory Shoto had replayed in his mind countless times—the night when he'd impulsively kissed Bakugou.

The words Bakugou had uttered while drunk echoed in Shoto's ears, "He said he likes me but hasn't asked me to be his boyfriend yet. I think he's tired of me." The thoughts churned in Shoto's mind, making him restless. He wanted clarity, a sense of direction. Maybe it was time to be more assertive, to bridge the gap between them.

Sitting upright, Shoto gathered his courage. "Bakugou," he began hesitantly, unsure of how the other boy would react.

But Bakugou didn't reply. Realizing that Bakugou was immersed in the music playing through his earphones, Shoto reached out, gently pulling them off. Bakugou's red eyes snapped open in surprise, a hint of annoyance flashing through them. "What the—?" he grumbled.

"Are you busy this evening? I mean, after our training?" Shoto asked, urgency evident in his voice.

Bakugou's expression softened a fraction, replaced by confusion. "Midoriya mentioned he wanted to talk about something. Said he didn't get a chance this morning, so we're meeting tonight," he replied.

Shoto felt a pang of disappointment but masked it quickly. "What about tomorrow?" he pressed.

Bakugou seemed to consider it for a moment. Before he could answer, Shoto continued, "Don't make any plans for tomorrow morning. Reserve it for me."

The words hung in the air, a silent promise between them. Shoto's heart raced, a mix of anticipation and anxiety. Hoping to ease the tension, he leaned down, placing a quick kiss on Bakugou's cheek. The warmth of the contact sent shivers down his spine.

Without waiting for a response, Shoto stood up, making his way back to the classroom, leaving behind a flustered Bakugou, who sat frozen, fingers brushing the spot where Shoto's lips had just been.